NYSA, ILA affirm commitment to hiring veterans

Responding to complaints by the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor about delays in hiring veterans to fill new dockworker jobs, the New York Shipping Association and International Longshoremen's Association said Wednesday in a joint statement that they are "fully committed to implementing the hiring plan as outlined in
our collective bargaining agreement.
"Delays in certifying pre-qualified
candidates are mainly due to the extended time it is currently taking
for processing Transportation Worker Identification Cards," the statement said. Many
candidates do not apply for TWIC cards prior to pre-qualification to
avoid potential unnecessary expense. The NYSA and ILA are using state-recognized recruiting agencies, those sponsored by the Port Authority of
NY & NJ, as well as participating in veteran job fairs.
"Interviews
for all candidates continue on a weekly basis and we look forward to
continuing to bolster our depleted workforce," the groups said.
Earlier this week, the Waterfront Commission complained the NYSA and ILA "are dedicating most of their efforts to employing and training new workers from their own referrals to the severe disadvantage of the veterans."
On Wednesday, Pat Foye, executive director, and Deborah Gramiccioni, deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, also called on the NYSA and ILA to "live up to their collective bargaining agreement and work cooperatively with the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to recruit and hire veterans for the hundreds of high-paying jobs available in the Port of New York and New Jersey."